Chief Deputy Director- Exempt

Contra Costa County; California; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public sector pension

Disaster Service Worker eligibility

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Contra Costa County is seeking a Chief Deputy Director in the Employment and Human Services Department. The role requires strategic leadership, strong analytical ability, and proven experience in managing large, diverse public programs.

Responsibilities include oversight of the Financial, Information & Systems, Internal Operations, and Personnel Bureaus, with a focus on policy development and cross‑department collaboration to deliver essential services to the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree requirement in public administration or related fields.
• Seven (7) years of progressive public human services management experience, including three in an executive role.
• Substitution option with a Master's degree plus five years of experience, three in executive management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Financial Bureau, Information & Systems Bureau, Internal Operations Bureau, and Personnel Bureau.
• Provide strategic leadership, policy development, and organizational direction.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Political savvy

Critical thinking

Written communication

Oral communication

Managing organizational complexity

Valuing diversity

Change management

Data analysis

Decision making

Delegating

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Work or related field

Master's degree in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Work (substantial experience required)

Job description

*** Open Until Position Filled ***

Contra Costa County is recruiting to fill one (1) Chief Deputy Director- Exempt vacancy in the Employment and Human Services Department.

Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department envisions a thriving community where all individuals and families can be healthy, safe, secure, and self-sufficient. The Department partners with the community to deliver quality services to ensure access to resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The Department prioritizes the core values of promoting organizational excellence, delivering an exceptional customer service experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and respecting diversity.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strategic and innovative thinker
• An analytical individual with excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong in leadership and management abilities
• An effective communicator
• Knowledgeable in comprehensive social services
• Skilled in relationship building
• Experienced in administrative oversight

What you may be responsible for:

• Financial Bureau
• Information & Systems Bureau
• Internal Operations Bureau
• Personnel Bureau

A few reasons you might love this job:

• The ability to make a significant impact on the community and public service
• An influential role in policy development
• The opportunity for strategic leadership
• Extensive collaboration and networking opportunities

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Navigating the complexity of governmental administration
• Keeping abreast of changing regulations
• Balancing diverse responsibilities
• Managing intra- and interdepartmental relations during problem-solving

Competencies Required:

• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries
• Critical Thinking:Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Managing Organizational Complexity:Maneuvering through complex political situations and functions within the organization
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Managing & Facilitating Change:Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data:Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Decision Making:Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, Contra Costa County - Chief Deputy Director Class Specification

License Required:

Candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Work, or a closely related field or other degree major acceptable based on years of experience in public administration in a human services agency, AND

Experience:

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) professional experience in human services management, at least three (3) years of which must have been in an executive position managing human services to the public within a large diverse program or public agency providing human services to the public.

Substitution for Experience:

Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Business or Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Work and five (5) years of the required experience, at least three (3) years of which must have been in an executive position managing human services to the public within a large diverse program or public agency providing human services to the public.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness
• Leadership and strategic planning
• Legislative knowledge and research skills
• Comprehensive understanding of governmental administration
• Strong organizational management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities

This position is exempted from the merit system and will not follow regular County recruitment and selection procedures. Not all applicants will be invited to participate in the evaluation and interview process.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.